Ask Fashion Girl

Dear Kristyn,

You hit the nail on the head. When you go all out and express your deepest style desires, there is a fine line between looking fashion-forward and looking like a fashion experiment gone wrong! You have to ask yourself how close to that line you're willing to venture. People who want to play it safe and not look out of place take the normal style routes. They copy what their friends wear. They shop at nice, safe stores like The Gap and buy what everyone else buys. They stay miles away from that fine line, and there's nothing wrong with that, it's a personal choice! We are all entitled to our proximity preferences.

Then there are the people who seem to be able to carry off any old style they like. They throw on whatever they please and come out looking totally hip and edgy. They constantly flirt with the fine line and push its boundaries on a whim! I am willing to bet, though, that they've done their research! Consulting fashion, art, and design magazines; staying aware of pop culture; learning fashion history; and watching designer runway shows are all great ways to build an innate sense of style.

It's when you skirt the fine line that you risk looking out of place. The bad (or good, depending on how you look at it) news is that there is just no way to avoid this! Even if you look totally "in place" in an outfit, you can go to a different event, part of town, or group of people and look totally out of place in the very same outfit. So if you want to avoid looking out of place, it's best to observe what the people you admire most are wearing. Note their colors and styles and use these as a guide when you go shopping. Don't be afraid to add your own creative twist. Before you know it, some other fine-line-loving person will be inspired by your unique look!

Sincerely, Fashion Girl